I'm a senior in high school currently. I have been researching for a six figure job that takes less than 8 years of education. I have found several over the past month but recently I found out about CRNAs who have the best money to education ratio by far. What I want is a job that I can go home with a smile and a heavy paycheck. Satisfactory seems to be amazing with this job and the pay is above what I was aiming for.
I never looked into the medical field until now yet it seems like something I could really get into. The reason for having less than 8 years of education is so I don't waste all of my youth. I know there are plenty of alternatives but, CRNA seems like a safe route to a happy and successful life.
This is the biggest decision of my life so I'm not taking it lightly. I do not want to switch my career and waste my time picking a direction through life. So before I make it I want to know exactly what I'm getting into.
I want to know from people who have been through this already, why or why not CRNA? Any advice or additional tips will be very appreciated.
Also anything that you found surprising or caught you off guard while becoming CRNA? As in is it what you expected?
(How hard the schooling is for CRNA is not one of my concerns)
I'm also headed on the path of **hopefully**one day** becoming a CRNA. But I would agree with the above comments, the money and time should be an after thought. I finished up an undergrad double major about 2 years ago which took me 5 years. Then I did about 2 years of pre-requisites at a community college. I will be starting nursing school this June. Thankfully, I got into an accelerated nursing program which is about 15 months. Still though, a CRNA program requires 3 years of ICU only experience. I've heard from other nursing friends how difficult it is to get a job as a new graduate in the ICU. So I may end up having to work in another unit for a few years before transferring to an ICU. Then if I am accepted to a CRNA program I think most are about 2/3 years.
All in all I will have probably spent 15 years and oh god, probably close to $200,000 on my education. Thankfully I had support during half my undergrad so I won't have that much in student loans but STILL that is an INSANE and probably unwise amount of money.
So why am I on this path?? Because I genuinely find the field FASINATING, and every CRNA I've spoken with and shadowed has the most glowing things to say about their education and profession. But I'm holding it all with an open hand! Do something that you're passionate about and will enjoy doing for the rest of your life. I'm of the mentality that I never want to "work for the weekend", or find joy and fulfillment on my days off.
Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.
As for the minimum 2-3 years of ICU experience, you may be competing with nurses who have 2x or 3x years of experience or more & many will come with all types of certifications such as flight nurse/CCRN/TNCC/ etc.
My former student who was set on CRNA from day 1 of pre nursing, it took him 7 years to get in. He should be finishing next year or the following. But owes student loans for BSN plus now CRNA. Oh well, to each his own. I do think you are going about this with dollar signs in your eyes but good luck on your endeavors to get into nursing & crna school.
Your post reminded my of 2 pre-nursing students who spoke to a group of high school students at the local university. Both had applied to the BSN program where I was teaching & both told the parents & high school junior/seniors how they were getting into nursing to be crna's. Well, one did not get in until the following semester, then never completed, made it to the 3rd semester then failed out. The other had to repeat the first semester, eventually did graduated with her BSN.
I find it curious that people who have not even started their basic nursing studies have made a decision to be gas passers. What is curious? That you really do not know what nurses really do. Same goes for people that want to be nurse practitioners.
You're just in high school so I find it impressive that you're taking the time to research career prospects and thinking about what's important to you. Salary is certainly important and don't let others make you feel guilty for thinking about that. If you want to be able to afford a certain kind of life outside of work or certain things for a family, you'll need to have the income to do that.
That being said, as I'm sure you already know, there's lots of ways to achieve the income you want. The goal is to figure out what you will enjoy doing to make that money. CRNA is a great career for those who enjoy it but it can be horrible for those who don't. It's extremely specialized and deals with very critical situations where people's lives are in your hands (stressful!). It can also be very boring and monotonous at times when patients are stable and there isn't much to do. It really isn't a career for everyone but for those that are interested in it, it's amazing. Also, as others mentioned, it's a long road.
First thing to know is that CRNAs are nurses first. You must get your BSN first and then you must work in an ICU for at least one year (likely more). If you don't like nursing and don't like caring for patients, that will be rough for you. After that you can apply to crna schools that take 2-4 years to complete, so yes, you could get it done in 8 years, though that's on the short end for most. But also, remember that after your BSN you'll already have a great career as a nurse. Depending on what area you live in, many nurses make six figures (most in California and NYC do with just a BSN).
All of this is assuming that you enjoy healthcare. Chances are you'll change your mind a few times over the next few years so keep your eyes open for different careers and see where life takes you. Your first two years in college you'll be taking general classes so that will get you some exposure to a lot of different things. I would recommend taking science and math classes early because taking these will give you the prereqs you need for most higher paying careers. As you take those classes, see what you enjoy and then search for careers that deal with the areas that spark your interest.
As many have said, I cannot express how important it is to enjoy what you do. Not only for your own happiness but also for your career. It's hard to be motivated to advance your career and even get through the required courses if you don't enjoy what you're doing. People who love what they do are generally more successful and find more opportunity for advancement (and money) than those who don't.
I think it's great that you're looking into this but use your youth as a tool that allows you to still have time to figure out what you really want out of life and your career. There is a lot more to career than just money. There's of course finding something you enjoy. But there's also the cost of the education (CRNA school can be very expensive!), how much you'll be paying in student loans, the work hours (I choose nursing in part because of the flexible schedules and ability to only work 12 hour shifts), work environment (will you be sitting at a desk M-F or on your feet or working crazy hours a couple days a week), the ability to have work/family/life balance, the amount of autonomy you have, job market outlook (we can't all be art history majors), and opportunities to move up and progress your career if that's what you want. All of those factors are so important to choosing a career, not just "passion". For me, nursing and CRNA is a perfect fit. I choose those career methodically after being unsatisfied in my first career (after 7 years). But it's certainly not for everyone.
You seem like a bright young person and I'm sure that once you go through some self discovery over the next few years and think about what you want out of life/career, you'll find a great fit.
To actually answer your question, I can tell you why I choose nursing/CRNA (applying this year).
I love biology, physiology, pharmacology and medicine. I love working with patients. Healthcare is just what I'm meant for and have always done.
The pay for nurses is good where I live. Unions are great and have always advanced the nursing field. There is a ton of opportunities for advancement and you can never get bored. A BSN is very powerful.
Job outlook is great. Field is stable.
On a daily basis, there is a lot of autonomy and independence.
It is intellectually stimulating on a daily basis.
Working with people (not for CRNA as much but for RNs)
NOT working at a desk (did this for 7 years and hated it). Working on my feet and being active.
Shift work, when you are done with your day, you go home and work stays at work. There are no deadlines or large projects where you'll have to stay late to complete. So different than corporate world.
You can pretty much have any schedule you want. You can find jobs that work M-F, or 3 12 hour shifts, or 2 24 hour shifts, or nights. It is up to you in the long run. This makes having a family easier.
Opportunities for OT and per diem jobs. If you need more money and need to supplement your income, it's so easy to pick up extra work and be paid really nicely for it. What other career has that!?
Career opportunities. The field of nursing is just huge. You can work in education, be a professor, work in administration/corporate world, insurance companies with a desk job, management, OR, CRNA, become a private NP, informatics (computer science meets healthcare)...just anything. In twenty years I may not know what kind of nurse I'll be but I know I will be a nurse and I'll be happy doing something.
Ability to work anywhere. Not stuck to having to stay in a big city or certain area
As for CRNA specifically:
Great schedule/flexibility
Good pay
Can pick up extra work
Autonomy/independence
Helping people
Intellectually stimulating/challenging
Not physical so I can do it for longer than bedside.
Amazing job outlook
Ability to work/live anywhere
For me it's just perfect and fits with my life. But I also just love love love physiology, healthcare, pharmacology, and helping people.
Absolutely, definitely DO NOT pursue a CRNA for the money.
1. You don't know where the field will be when you get out of school in 6-10 years.
2. After being involved in health/medical environs for (only) the past 3 years I am going to agree with others and say that you need more than just an interest in salary to motivate you in this field (no offense meant) because: it's (more than) challenging, it's (more than) competitive, it's hard on you physically and mentally, it's time consuming, and it can be initially VERY expensive (why am I doing this, again?).
3. You can't just jump right in to being a CRNA as far as I know. You've got to go through all the regular nurse stuff that some people are maybe not cool with...I don't think there's any way to get around regular clinicals.
Long story short: from my somewhat limited experience, there's not a fast track to easy money in nursing
I suspect I will like it. I've always found an interest in science and helping others out- Not just living for myself.
I'm sick of living paycheck to paycheck and barely helping my parents out. That's why I want a good paying job, because I hate not being able to properly provide for my family. I do have gold dust in my eyes, but it's not blinding me.
As for the minimum 2-3 years of ICU experience, you may be competing with nurses who have 2x or 3x years of experience or more & many will come with all types of certifications such as flight nurse/CCRN/TNCC/ etc.
My former student who was set on CRNA from day 1 of pre nursing, it took him 7 years to get in. He should be finishing next year or the following. But owes student loans for BSN plus now CRNA. Oh well, to each his own. I do think you are going about this with dollar signs in your eyes but good luck on your endeavors to get into nursing & crna school.
Your post reminded my of 2 pre-nursing students who spoke to a group of high school students at the local university. Both had applied to the BSN program where I was teaching & both told the parents & high school junior/seniors how they were getting into nursing to be crna's. Well, one did not get in until the following semester, then never completed, made it to the 3rd semester then failed out. The other had to repeat the first semester, eventually did graduated with her BSN.
I find it curious that people who have not even started their basic nursing studies have made a decision to be gas passers. What is curious? That you really do not know what nurses really do. Same goes for people that want to be nurse practitioners.
I haven't made the decision yet, that's why I'm here.
I'm not going to act like I know everything about nursing, but I have a good understanding of it. I know it's not sunshine and rainbows (I may have made it seem that way). I know it's going to be incredibly difficult and long. I know it may not be what I want but so far it is.
To actually answer your question, I can tell you why I choose nursing/CRNA (applying this year).
I love biology, physiology, pharmacology and medicine. I love working with patients. Healthcare is just what I'm meant for and have always done.
The pay for nurses is good where I live. Unions are great and have always advanced the nursing field. There is a ton of opportunities for advancement and you can never get bored. A BSN is very powerful.
Job outlook is great. Field is stable.
On a daily basis, there is a lot of autonomy and independence.
It is intellectually stimulating on a daily basis.
Working with people (not for CRNA as much but for RNs)
NOT working at a desk (did this for 7 years and hated it). Working on my feet and being active.
Shift work, when you are done with your day, you go home and work stays at work. There are no deadlines or large projects where you'll have to stay late to complete. So different than corporate world.
You can pretty much have any schedule you want. You can find jobs that work M-F, or 3 12 hour shifts, or 2 24 hour shifts, or nights. It is up to you in the long run. This makes having a family easier.
Opportunities for OT and per diem jobs. If you need more money and need to supplement your income, it's so easy to pick up extra work and be paid really nicely for it. What other career has that!?
Career opportunities. The field of nursing is just huge. You can work in education, be a professor, work in administration/corporate world, insurance companies with a desk job, management, OR, CRNA, become a private NP, informatics (computer science meets healthcare)...just anything. In twenty years I may not know what kind of nurse I'll be but I know I will be a nurse and I'll be happy doing something.
Ability to work anywhere. Not stuck to having to stay in a big city or certain area
As for CRNA specifically:
Great schedule/flexibility
Good pay
Can pick up extra work
Autonomy/independence
Helping people
Intellectually stimulating/challenging
Not physical so I can do it for longer than bedside.
Amazing job outlook
Ability to work/live anywhere
For me it's just perfect and fits with my life. But I also just love love love physiology, healthcare, pharmacology, and helping people.
Wow! I'm near speechless that a complete stranger would give so much thought into helping me out! I'm very grateful.
Your two posts opened my eyes to some new stuff and actually intrigued me into CRNA more. It makes me think of where I will be if I do choose this career route and it's a very promising image. I will definitely keep my mind open though. I'm trying to keep my options as open as possible because what I want is very vague.
I feel like I relate to what you want in life on a very similar level.
Your detailed post will help me with my decision tenfold.
Thank you so much! You have no idea how much I appreciate your advice!
Many large teaching hospitals offer shadowing opportunities with their CRNAs. If you live in / near Baltimore MD, the Johns Hopkins Hospital has a shadowing program for high-school juniors and seniors to shadow their CRNAs for half a day. Message me if you're interested, and I can give you the contact information for the CNRA-shadow program coordinator at the JHH. Otherwise, look into what opportunities are available at the closest teaching hospital near where you live.
I have personally shadowed several CRNAs and found the experience invaluable. You can ask them all the questions you like in person, and receive a lot of good advice on how to proceed in your academic career towards a CRNA degree.
You've got a good head on your shoulders, you're taking the right steps by researching your career options early, and your desire to help your family is admirable. Best of luck in all your endeavors!
Absolutely, definitely DO NOT pursue a CRNA for the money.
1. You don't know where the field will be when you get out of school in 6-10 years.
2. After being involved in health/medical environs for (only) the past 3 years I am going to agree with others and say that you need more than just an interest in salary to motivate you in this field (no offense meant) because: it's (more than) challenging, it's (more than) competitive, it's hard on you physically and mentally, it's time consuming, and it can be initially VERY expensive (why am I doing this, again?).
3. You can't just jump right in to being a CRNA as far as I know. You've got to go through all the regular nurse stuff that some people are maybe not cool with...I don't think there's any way to get around regular clinicals.
Long story short: from my somewhat limited experience, there's not a fast track to easy money in nursing
Great advice!
I know nothing is for certain being a CRNA, but isn't that for every job? Even if they get pay cuts a decade from now I'm sure that it will still be a good income.
I do have more than just an interest in salary, yet it is a huge slice of the cake for me.
I realize my post made me sound a bit jumpy to be a CRNA but, I have thought it out quite a bit.
Many large teaching hospitals offer shadowing opportunities with their CRNAs. If you live in / near Baltimore MD, the Johns Hopkins Hospital has a shadowing program for high-school juniors and seniors to shadow their CRNAs for half a day. Message me if you're interested, and I can give you the contact information for the CNRA-shadow program coordinator at the JHH. Otherwise, look into what opportunities are available at the closest teaching hospital near where you live.
I have personally shadowed several CRNAs and found the experience invaluable. You can ask them all the questions you like in person, and receive a lot of good advice on how to proceed in your academic career towards a CRNA degree.
You've got a good head on your shoulders, you're taking the right steps by researching your career options early, and your desire to help your family is admirable. Best of luck in all your endeavors!
I live in northern California. I'm quite busy with college, work, and finishing up high school at the moment. I will definitely look into this when summer arrives though. It seems like something I should do before I even start nursing.
Go to med school. 4 years college + 4 years school. 3-4 years anesthesiology residency (you'll be paid, but not a ton). You'll be done at 30.. And make 200-300k for 30-35 years.
itiswell
65 Posts
I'm also headed on the path of **hopefully**one day** becoming a CRNA. But I would agree with the above comments, the money and time should be an after thought. I finished up an undergrad double major about 2 years ago which took me 5 years. Then I did about 2 years of pre-requisites at a community college. I will be starting nursing school this June. Thankfully, I got into an accelerated nursing program which is about 15 months. Still though, a CRNA program requires 3 years of ICU only experience. I've heard from other nursing friends how difficult it is to get a job as a new graduate in the ICU. So I may end up having to work in another unit for a few years before transferring to an ICU. Then if I am accepted to a CRNA program I think most are about 2/3 years.
All in all I will have probably spent 15 years and oh god, probably close to $200,000 on my education. Thankfully I had support during half my undergrad so I won't have that much in student loans but STILL that is an INSANE and probably unwise amount of money.
So why am I on this path?? Because I genuinely find the field FASINATING, and every CRNA I've spoken with and shadowed has the most glowing things to say about their education and profession. But I'm holding it all with an open hand! Do something that you're passionate about and will enjoy doing for the rest of your life. I'm of the mentality that I never want to "work for the weekend", or find joy and fulfillment on my days off.